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The Chairman of the United Nations commission investigating alleged atrocities in Mozambique, Mr. Shailendra Kumar?

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GV Hotel Luz Palace
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SV INTERIOR Delegates round table.
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CU Upadhyay speaking.
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MR. UPADHYAY: "Our task is to defend the human rights of colonial people. To a large extent the success of our work will depend on the sense of justice and willingness of all those who have information relevant to our inquiry to come forward and co-operate with us. Given that co-operation. I feel assured that the commission will endeavour to fulfill its mandate and provide the people of Mozambique and the world community at large with a systematic account of all the facts concerning the reported atrocities in Mozambique and -- in the wider context of the United Nations - to safeguard human rights, which includes self-determination.

I would add that the co-operation of all countries can be of great significance in helping to end the self-imposed isolation of previous Portuguese regimes in the United Nations over these fundamental issues."

Initials AE/17.55 AE/18.05

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Background: The Chairman of the United Nations commission investigating alleged atrocities in Mozambique, Mr. Shailendra Kumar Upadhyay, said in Madrid no Thursday (May 23) that a successful investigation would help to safeguard the human rights of all peoples.

The five-man commission has been interviewing more than a dozen witnesses in Spain. They've alleged that Portuguese troops massacred Africans in Mozambique in 1971 and 1972. Most of the statements were taken from Roman Catholic priests and guns.

The commission will resume its work in Rome and then in Dar-es-Salaam.

Mr. Upadhyay said he had approached the Portuguese authorities for information and, although he had not yet received a reply, he was hopeful he would received it.